Flight Information
| Bendigo Ballooning offers hot air balloon rides in and around Bendigo, central Victoria's 'Golden Triangle' bounded by Bendigo, Stawell and Ballarat, and the Grampians. We will also gladly consider requests for bookings of 6 or more in other areas of Victoria, southern NSW and South Australia. See capacity. |  |
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| Morning Flights | |||||
| For morning flights, we usually meet before dawn, rig the balloons in the half light, and launch as the sun comes up. Although meeting the sun as it peeps over the horizon is just one of the great joys of ballooning, don't be deterred if cloud and mist conspire to hide it. Such conditions can be truly lovely. Mystical even, and ethereal. | |||||
| Afternoon Flights | |||||
| Half-hour afternoon and evening flights are sometimes possible, particularly in late Autumn and Winter. However, we do not generally accept bookings for such flights other than on the day and, in any case, must have at least 6 passengers. Other than providing sparkling wine and chocolates, we don't offer any frills or meals with our afternoon and evening flights. Nonetheless, on those days when the weather conditions are just right, they can be almost as rewarding as our morning flights in spite of the slight discomfort sometimes of having to pack up in the dark. | |||||
| Launch Sites | |||||
| Most flights over Bendigo start near the city centre, extend to the forest around the city, and end in the open undulating countryside beyond. However, the decision about exactly which of about 35 different launch options we have in and around Bendigo is not made until after careful assessment of the wind speed and direction on the day. See operational limits. | |||||
| Flights in the Grampians area usually start east of the range, at either Bellellen Homestead, Pomonal, Lake Fyans or Cathcart, just west of Ararat. Although flights are never conducted over the ranges, passengers generally get a wonderful view of them before landing in the open farmland nearby. | |||||
| For flights in Strathalbyn, McLaren Vale or Monarto, passengers are usually asked to meet us either at Jack's Café in Strathalbyn, McLarens on the Lakes or the front gate of Monarto Zoological Park. However, for interstate and international passengers staying in Adelaide, we offer a pick-up and return service. Adelaide residents who cannot readily meet us at the designated meeting places are also welcome to join that pick-up and return service run as long as they can do so without causing us to be late. | |||||
| What's Special about Ballooning? | |||||
You'll do things that can't readily be done in any other type of aircraft. Low-flying at low speed for example, talking and joking sometimes with people on the ground, seeing wildlife close-up, and high-flying for uninterrupted 360° views. Furthermore, apart from perhaps a little rocking and rolling before take-off, your flight will be smooth. You won't get tossed around in flight, and you won't get airsick. Guaranteed. |
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Last updated: 24 September 2005